Bluewater Grill’s balsamic-braised North Carolina pulled pork sliders with apple radish slaw; Oceans Restaurant’s seared ahi tuna over a fried wonton with miso, Sriracha, scallions, shitake mushroom and sesame seeds; assorted pies from 22 North; and Sweet and Savory’s autumn squash bisque, barbecued duck confit and caramel brownies are just a few of the bites waiting for Wrightsville Beach appetites during the third annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach food and beverage festival Saturday, Oct. 11. The event will include a lineup of restaurants and vendors representing repeat attendees and new participants.
Taste of Wrightsville Beach cofounder Lisa Weeks was excited to have the continued support of returning restaurants and the participation of newcomers like Causeway Café and Martino’s Deli.
“We are excited about them and certainly the continued support of our loyal restaurants that have been participating since day one,” Weeks said. “It is coming along great and our ticket sales are really picking up.”
Event patrons will have the chance to sample each of the dishes from the 14 different restaurants and vote on their favorites for the People’s Choice awards. The restaurants also compete for the favor of the five celebrity judges to win Best In Show.
This year’s celebrity judges include Liz Biro, a former Wilmington foodie and writer who recently relocated to Indianapolis; Cape Fear Community College’s Diane Withrow; Raleigh-based Kamado Grill chief culinary officer Eric Gephart; Wrightsville Beach Mayor Bill Blair; and N.C. Representative Rick Catlin, R-New Hanover.
In addition to the food, the event will feature various beverages from 18 different vendors from across the region, state and country.
Weeks said there should be a total of around 650 people in attendance at this year’s event with tickets selling for $65 until Oct. 5, when they will increase to $75. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Weekend Meals on Wheels Program, and the nonprofit Wrightsville Beach Foundation’s beautification projects that range from helping Boy Scouts enhance the town to the foundation’s downtown Wrightsville Beach beautification plan that will be presented to the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen Oct. 9.
Visit www.wrightsvillebeach
foundation.org for tickets and more information.
email [email protected]
